From: Bana Devi Vasquez
After a four year hiatus and anticipating a new release, Reggae vocalist
Annette Brissett recently toured the United States. As a measure of her
continuing strength as a musician and composer, she had a dynamite band
accompanying her including renown musicians George (Fully) Fullwood and
Carlton (Santa) Davis from the Peter Tosh Band. In the following
interview, Brissett spoker of her life, her music and her unique vision
of a better world. Special thanks to L. Wilson and J. Baptiste
(Kilimanjaro, Seattle) for their assistance.
BD: Were you listening to music in Jamaica and who inspired you?
AB: "We grew up in a rough neighborhood. So if you were to say that I
was influenced by anyone, really, it would have to be the Wailers, Bob
Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer. Why? Because they are positive
role models. I don't want to be a Bob Marley, or Peter Tosh or Bunny
Wailer, but I'd love to follow in their footsteps. Because they did good
and touched a lot of people and it meant something. Even if these great
men weren't perfect, they did something perfect. I don't hear any other
reggae--there are talented artists out there, you know, but none come
across (like them).
BD: Did you begin your life wantint to be an artist? Did you have any
idea that you would be singing and playing all the instruments you do?
AB: "Yes, my dream was to do everything, and I always wanted attention."
BD: Did you go to a music school or did you teach yourself to play the
drums, bass, guitar, percussion and keyboards?
AB: "I taught myself. I used to just sit and watch people and they used
to groove me. I would say, 'Oh, if I could just play like that.' I'd go
home and I would practice in my head, and my body would say, 'Yeah, you
ca do it!' That's why it's like working out, you know. I started and
learned."
BD: How old were you?
AB: "In my teenage years. Listening to my mom's collection in a room by
myself. She had Otis Redding, the Spinners--I used to play everything."
BD: You grew up in the United States. So you really formed yourself here?
AB: "In America? Yes, pretty much so. Spent most of my teenage years
here. I remember I used to go and stand outside this church, and watch
the people going on with the music--it was something wild! I guess I was
influenced partly by the church and partly by what my eyes alone could
see. And, the discovery came from within me. You know that it's rough,
and you must pray. I just use strength to go on."
BD: You seem to strive for answers and not to settle for less?
AB: "Yeah, I don't take anything for the 'answer.' I expect the
reasons. You know because it can be better. It can be. Why look at
coming together and not deal with a situation? I'm not saying that you
are responsible for MY problem. But, if I can help to make it better, I
would. I'm all for that! Because if music doesn't touch somebody,
you're not blessed. I love Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer--the
only people in reggae music that have influenced me. When I first came
to America, to be honest, I was influenced by a lot of white artists:
Tammy Wynette, Tanya Tucker, Pat Benatar. But, I was also touched by
Black artists such as Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Otis,
Sam Cooke, Curtis Mayfield and others."
"But, I have one, one little itch. Why is it always the people that you
are fighting for, are those fighting against you? You see poverty and
the wants of the people because you are one of them, then what? It's the
message, and if the message is not coming across . . . The message is not
about you, the message is the world, we have a responsibility to the
world. Not responsibility to each other to dominate one race, dominate
one sex, or dominate one religion. So this is why I'm here as a woman."
BD: How are you treated when people, specifically musicians, find out
that you can do so many things musically?
AB: "Men are dominating. And, if you sit and try to tell them that they
are dominating, they'll tell you, 'That, you are!' But, ever since my
mom's days, my grandmom's days and back, it's always been like that. It
never bothered me until I grew up. And, all of a sudden when I found
myself, I realized there was animosity roaming. And, it was like, 'Oh,
but I could talk to you then, why can't I talk to you now? So it's not
easy, but I have gotten used to it."
"I'm not trying to prove a point now, you know. I just want to do what I
have to do. Whether it makes a feminist out of me, I have to do it.
Yes, I'm not the prettiest person in the world, I'm not the ugliest. But
I love what I do because coming from where I'm coming from in
Jamaica--and, I KNOW WHERE I'M COMING FROM--I don't want to go back
there. I'm going to do what it takes for me to go where I want to go.
It doesn't matter if I am a female, and if anyone comes in my way, there
are other ways to go around. You know you're always fighting if you are a
strong person. I'm not fighting any more."
BD: Now you have a daughter in the U.S., how are you teaching her to be
motivated culturally, to try her own way?
AB: "Just by watching me. Oh, yes! With every kid. I love kids, but
after a certain age you tend to leave them to their own decisions because
after a while it's like a different ball game, you know. But, I love
children."
BD: What would you say to the young people of today in order to direct
their way--how to find their way?
AB: "Everything is not quick. The quicker the thing, as the ballad
goes, the worse it is--it's no good. But the slower result, although it
comes with a rough road, is beautiful. Slow, don't burn out, don't rush
to do things now because you are youth. Take your time."
BD: There are not many women in reggae music who are independent and
creative artists on their own . . . But, you are realy a tropper in that
. . .
AB: "It's scary because . . . it scares a lot of people who I'd love to
work with. Yeah, it does. Because they have never seen--some of the
attack it sexually, or degradedly. Promoters said, 'No, man, she's young
and we don't know her, people will not come out and see her.' I sat in
my house for four years because of that. But, then I did a couple of
shows and I couldn't leave the stage--there was a lot of people. Then I
said, 'What am I going to do?' Because I'm not a nine to five person,
I'm not experienced. And that's why I have to do my job and do it
seriously. Reggae music is a man's world! Music, everywhere it is for
both sexes, but reggae music, it's like . . . Why? Because there's never
a woman who can play nothing for herself! But, I am a woman one hundred
percent. I love man, but enough is enough!"
BD: I noticed when you were singing that you were really involved in
what was happening to you inside . . .
AB: "Because everything I sing about is something I have experienced or
I've seen happen. I have a little room right where I live and it's like
I'm surrounded by musical instruments, you know, keyboards, equipment and
the like. So I go and stay in there--sometimes, I don't bring even music
unless the vibe is right. It's great, you know. Things like music give
you a lot of calories, invisible calories--sometimes when you're hungry .
. ."
BD: We are very impressed by the group you're traveling with and how you
have formulated your travel arrangements . . .
AB: "Fully played a big part in that--he is great, trust me! Like I
said, everybody has their thing. To me, Fully is really good as far as
trust, dealing with individuals, and being there. And, driving? That's
a lot of things. I love Fully. He has leadership spirit, you know. A
true, true people person."
BD: You're laying tracks for a second CD. Will Fully and Santa be
backing you?
AB: "We still have not completed all of the tracks as yet. We're going
to use Sly and Robbie on, probably, two of the cuts. Fully and Santa
will be doing a couple of tracks."
BD: After the show tonight, you'll be going back to California? Or will
it be South America?
AB: "Los Angeles. I'll be in LA to finish up about two or three songs.
And, then we will move on to South America and the East Coast. But, I
want to put my album out first, you know. The tour? This tour has been
long awaited."
BD: How did you come to write that song, My Only Friend? Were you
thinking of someone special?
AB: "No, because what you tell your God, between you and Him--he doesn't
get an attitude. It's not like you're trying to control Him because you
know he runs things, he manages everything. But, he is like a true
friend, a silent friend. You know he is always there for you."
BD: How about the song, Betrayed? Was it from personal experience?
AB: "Betrayed was written by a friend of mine. When I sang it on the
first album, out of all the songs I did, I felt that song. Because I
could connect, right? The person who wrote that song was my daughter's
father."
"Right, that's the only way I could sing. Sing things that I feel and
can communicate with. If somebody writes something and brings to me, if
I cannot feel them, and I can't communicate what I see--they have no
meaning--I don't sing them. That's why artists are chosen people--they
see things that most people don't see. If they do see, they don't talk
about it. Every song that I sing must have a meaning for me."
BD: One of my favorite songs that I prescribe to every woman that's ever
feeling lonely or a little insecure . . .
AB: "Every Woman Must Try?"
BD: No, it's A Girl Is Only Human. Many of us are forced to wear an
armor because we're strong, and because we're supposed to . . . We're
'supposed' to be liberated, and yet, you are saying, 'Hey, no, wait a
minute!' Is that a personal experience or a direction you use for yourself?
AB: "No, not use . . . it's something that I am! I am an individual
that is independent. If I cannot help myself, I WILL TRY and help myself!"
"So, it may be different in every home or every creation, but the point
is we are equal. In every aspect, in every form or way you want to
consider, we're equal. Until we get that respect. I don't know about
other women. Me, personally, I don't ask for it, I don't beg for it. I
am a humble person and I'm also a shy person, you know. However, I know
what I want and I'm going to get it. I'm not going to say, 'Well, hey,
I'm going to sleep around to get it.' I can do my work! And, I'm going
to do my work to get it. I love my life the way it is because I'm closer
to God. And, people will hate a person for that, call them all kinds of
names?" If mankind (Male and Female) start showing love instead of hate
. . ."
"I don't want to depress them. I just want to be me! And, if my music
takes me all over the world, that's just me! If my music takes me from
bed to bed, that's not me! I'm a serious woman."
BD: Many men that do find women who stand on their own, appreciate them
more. Others call them aggressive . . .
AB: "Or worse! We women have figured out that some men don't ever grow
up--which sometimes is true. You know, if you listen to 'their'
conversation, the only time they seem to grow up is when it comes to
money and sex. But, we women are always on the alert or we have to put
things in perspective. Why? For ourselves, for us. 'Hey, if I'm going
to put things into perspective, you have to do it, too.' Then if both of
us have our priorities straight, oh man! This world would be a beautiful
place!"
BD: What do you think of placing the female Queen of Sheba at the center
of Rasta?
AB: "At the center of Rasta? Religion is a very sensitive topic for
me.
But, the main and most important thing that I am rebelling about is the
consciousness of my people. I'm not rebelling against anyone else. It
takes a revolution to bring a solution. I think right now my people need
a solution because the more we go ahead, the more we go down. I am a
rebel who doesn't hesitate to talk about anything except for religion,
politics and sex."
BD: That's interesting that you would put sex in there with relition and
politics . . .
AB: "Very important. I'm learning as I go along. Some people misquote
me and I have to be very careful of what I say."
BD: That song, Every Woman Must Try, is it based on Amazing Grace?
AB: "It is. But, in a formal way. Where men have been praying for
woman, woman can pray too. It's a redemption song and for a woman to
feel stronger, you know. Because God listens . . .
BD: The high caliber men that accompany you, they are not afraid to
stand by you?
AB: "Because they, I guest, know the truth. Sometimes, it's not what I
say as a woman, it is what it is/has been from creation. And, if I get
and make a statement, it would't offend them because they know they are
men. They are sure of themselves as men. The men who sit down with me
and are not sure of themselves, will get up and fight against me. Which
I don't care because they cannot fee, house nor clothe me! They can only
accompany themselves in their foolish talk. So these five men that are
traveling with me know that they are men. They don't need to look up and
say, 'What the hell is she trying to prove?' "Who does she think she
is?' No, they are like strength behind me, and I love that. The
strength that grows. When weakness bends strength, it's meek. They are
my strength and I am their strength."
"But, back to the issue, again. It's not a matter of enlightening the
rest of the world, it's a matter of waking up our own nations. And, if
you can wake up one or two along the way, you're doing a damm good job, I
think. That does not make my job easier: It's hard! I write my own
songs. If I don't, who's going to? Yeah, the people dance hip, hop,
yeah, hip hop hooray. But every day can't be a party. Because if it's a
party, then how will your bills be paid?"
"It's not just sex. I want to feel your pain (feel mine too): I can see
your pain. As a woman I can communicate, but show me you! Don't hide
there and think that you gotta be macho and all of that. You are a man,
and yeah, just because you are a man you don't need to tell me nothing,
you're a man! What is a man but a mere image of God himself? You know,
someone tells me he's going to control me. Control yourself, first! And
when you control yourself, me as a woman admire you. And, then we can
communicate."
"Right now I'm free, but protected."
BD: You state your points with finesse . . .
AB: "Once I'm up on the stage, I care--sometimes it makes my heart beat
so loud. But, music is an universal language. It draws people together
from all over. I'm not the greateast, I'm not the best. I'm somebody
just passing through."
BD: And, that's what makes you best. Thank you.
PS: I just spoke with Annette and she is doing very well. For those who
have not heard her songs, try and you will discover a powerful being with
a truly commanding voice. Strength. Jah Live. Bana Devi